Prov 7 - Smooth Temptation & Deadly Results

Introduction

For the last 6 chapters of Proverbs I have danced around the topic of adultery and prostitution. I have told you that the strange woman can be any person who does not keep her promises. Solomon’s son has been warned to stay away from her. Today, the text gets specific because it is not enough to stay away from her, the wise disciple makes choices based upon the truth that temptation is seductively coming toward you.

I realize that some words used in this sermon may prompt discussions you are not yet ready to have with your children, but just know that “the talk” is inevitable. and “the talk” is best had repeatedly and incrementally as your young ones are exposed to more information and more temptations.

I don’t take any pleasure in bringing up subjects that are awkward conversations, but I’ve seen too many situations where parents presume their children will act wisely when encountered by bad touch, stranger danger, or the motives of unscrupulous and evil people.

Today’s chapter is one more discussion between a father and his son, between and mentor and an apprentice. There are so many different relationships represented in this room, my first challenge is encourage you to hear this the apprentice, THEN to repeat it as the mentor.

TRANSITION: There IS a battle that rages on. Only a fool will stick his head in the sand as if it does not exist.

Prepare for Spiritual Conflict (Proverbs 7:1-5)

We wish those we love did not have to prepare for evil people. We wish that kids could be kids and that we didn’t have to prepare for innocence lost.

There is a sinister side to life in a fallen world. Advent and Easter are robbed of their significance when presents and chocolate bunnies move to the center of attention. Pumpkins, Apples and Harvest lose their significance when this time of year is captured by those focused on horror, death and spirits.

Choose the better way (Pr 7.1-2)

keep (4x in these first 5 verses) is the word for a watchman or a guard.

A watchman on a wall, Nehemiah placed guards while work was happening on the walls, guards at the tomb, guards on Paul & Silas in jail, etc. setting a guard is an important defensive and preventative measure.

Remind yourself of the battle (Pr 7.3)

keeping and treasuring of commandments and teaching deserve this reminder. Some of you wear purple every Saturday this time of year. Others wear scarlet and blue for every game in Allen fieldhouse. Some wear red every gameday (for Bulldogs or Spartans of course).

Today I am wearing a few items to declare my loyalty: On my left hand is a ring indicating that I have made a vow to my wife and our God. On my right hand is a class ring indicating that I graduated from a particular High School. Over my heart is a lapel pin from the alumni association of my college. I used to always wear (until it got lost in a snow pile) a tie tack for weddings and communion that was a gift associated with my ordination.

Some of you bear a tattoo reminding of military service, a locket containing a picture of a loved one, etc. This is the binding or writing mentioned in Pr 7.3.

Repeat the winning truth (Pr 7.4-5)

The “sister” is a close, comfortable, familiar partner. Abraham blurred the lines between spouse and sister. The Song of Songs (Song 4 & 5) refers to wife as sister.

Pr 7.4-5 indicates that some relationships are closer than others and that the closeness of these relationship have a measure of exclusivity.

Don’t wander into a snare (Proverbs 7:6-9)

Wise drivers in the Flint Hills consider where deer migrate from water to feeding to bedding. Wiser drivers consider the rut when bucks only have one thing on their minds, and it is not the cars on the roadway.

Scripture is littered with examples of fools who thought they were stronger than temptation and could handle whatever may come. Samson is a prime example as he disregarded the Nazirite vow and flirted with the source of his strength. David was in his palace when kings were normally away at war. Joseph fled without his coat when he found himself in a situation not of his own making. How many times did the Pharisees try to capture Jesus with their clever questions?

a naive youth (Pr 7.6-7)

a dangerous time and place (Pr 7.8-9)

Be alert because the world needs more lerts! Proverbs 6-9 describes the victim who refused to be a Lert.

Flattery and Enticement (Proverbs 7:10-20)

The temptress uses 2 weaknesses that are as old as humanity. We see them in the Garden of Eden, we see them again in Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, and they are revisited in the epistles in 1 Jn 2.16.

Flattery makes one feel important

Pr 7.14 - it is best to understand the offerings in the light of Leviticus 3 and 7:11–21. The fellowship offering emphasizes communion between the worshiper and God as well as with fellow worshipers. The meat must be eaten on the same day as the sacrifice. Thus, the woman is trying to entice the man with a delicious meal. But her acts just accentuate the sinfulness of her acts, the misuse of holy things (the sacrifice) for sinful adultery.

Pr 7.16 - where else have we seen a “coat” of many colors that had a connection to Egypt? How important did that character become to his family and his people?

In failure we see individuals taking what is precious and making it common. Eve used her freedom of choice to disobey God. In success we see individuals who elevate something common to indicate something valued or protected. Joseph considered his outer clothing, Daniel considered his diet to be indications of faithfulness to God.

Too many young people treat something as important as sobriety or purity or integrity as something to be discarded on the ladder to importance.

TRANSITION: Temptation doesn’t always leverage importance; sometimes the snare is pleasure. Eating that extra piece of Chocolate cake won’t make you important.

Temptation preys on one’s pleasures

1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton is not a new thing.

5 senses can be manipulative and manipulated. I’m told women are particularly vulnerable to scent and sound, while men are trapped by sight and touch. There is overlap between the fragrances mentioned here and the fragrances in Song of Solomon 4:14 describing intimate relations.

The temptress in these verses is using any possible advantage to accomplish her purpose. Your pleasures may have no appeal to me and my pleasures may have no appeal to you, but the enemy of our souls will use any temptation possible to lead you to disobey the good you know to do.

Sexual Sin IS a big deal! (Proverbs 7:21-23)

Solomon relates that he has observed both naive victims and skillful predators; and warns of both. Ironically, the larger story of Solomon and his 300 wives will reveal this warning to be autobiographical. We don’t know the exact timing of this instruction by Solomon. It is very possible that he is telling his own story that he was the naive young man who was taken in by the skillful temptress.

If this is autobiographical, Solomon brings up the subject because he realizes it is no small thing.

Culture calls it “cheating” or “benefits”

Scripture calls it deadly

she seduces

he follows (Pr 7.22)

he dies

Decide Now (Proverbs 7:24-27)

Don’t wait until the temptation is pressing (Prov 7:24-25)

The victims are many (Prov 7:26)

The consequences are serious (Prov 7:27)

Conclusion

Society, the fallen world, has lied to you and continues to lie to you. The lies of “safer” sex or “reproductive rights” or “nobody will ever know” have tried to tell you that you can break God’s prescribed boundaries without consequence.

There is a battle that rages. The battle is more than just your innocence on your wedding night or your faithfulness to your marriage vow. The battle that rages is one between obedience to God or indulgence to self—who sits on the throne of your life?

Light & Lamp

Light for my Path

Satan and his minions are not passive in temptation, Believers must consciously walk within the protection of Christ.

Lamps for my Steps

Offense - Be alert

Defense - when we are vulnerable (HALT)

Daily, before your feet hit the floor, visualize putting on each piece of Spiritual Armor (Eph 6:14-17)

The battle is real. The battle rages. But there IS a place of refuge. It is under His wings. Though the temptation is great and our sins they are many, His mercy is more! When Jesus stretched out his arms on that old wooden cross, He was calling us to come within His grasp and to safely abide within His open arms.

As we sing our song of response you may want to sit with you head bowed right where you are. You may wish to bow at the altar and do one of 2 things.

You may wish to CONFESS to Him what He already knows; that you have failed and now you admit that you have failed and you ask his forgiveness and to rightfully retake His position of Lord in your life.

You may wish to THANK him for mercy to forgive and strength to resist the temptations of the evil one and temptations of evil people.

I mentioned a moment ago the full Armor of God, one of (perhaps the most important) piece is the helmet of salvation. As we sing this song, I encourage you to ask yourself if your salvation is secure.